Chair bed



A. REA 2,999,250

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United States Patent e O CHAIR BED Alfred Rea, 2230 Charnwood Ave., Los Angeles 38, Calif. Filed Mar. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 648,368

l Claim. (Cl. 513) The present invention relates in general to the class of furniture which includes chair beds and sofa beds or bed divans, the invention being considered in connec` tion with a chair bed herein for convenience with 'the understanding that it may readily be applied to a sofa bed or bed divan merely by widening the structure thereof. Consequently, whenever the invention is re- :ferred to herein as a chair bed, sofa beds or bed divans are intended to be included also.

. .A primary object of the invention is to provide a sturdy and compact chair bed frame which is of relatively sirnple construction andv easy to operate and which may be incorporated in chairs of any desired Vfurniture style.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates and an object thereof is to provide a chair bed frame which includes a main frame, an upholsterable back frame mounted on and movable relative to the main frame between retracted and extended positions, upholsterable arm frames mounted on and movable relative to the main frame between retracted and extended positions,

and a folding bed frame mounted on and movable rela- .tive to the main frame between retracted and extended positions, the invention constituting a chair when the jmck, arm and bed frames are in their respective retracted positions,- and constituting -a bed when these frames are in their respective extended positions.

One object of the invention is to provide a main frame which is a rigid structure comprising rigidly interconnected metallic frame members of structural cross section, eg., angle sections, or the like. The provision of such a main frame results in a sturdy mount for the back frame, the arm frames and the folding` bed frame and insures against loosening thereof with the passage of time, which is an important feature.

- Another object of the invention is to provide arm `lframes which are movable relative to the main frame between parallel, or substantially parallel, retracted and extended positions. As will be pointed out hereinafter,

this minimizes the space requirements of the chair bed of the invention, which is an important feature also. A further object of the invention is to provide a chair bed frame including means for biasing the arm frames toward their extended positions and including means connected to the arm frames and engageable by the folding bed frame for holding the arm frames in their retracted positions when the bed frame is in its retracted position. With this construction, the arm A'frames automatically move -to their extended positions to permit unfolding of the bed frame into its extended position.

Another object is to provide means for automatically moving the back frame into'its extended position n response to initial movement of the folding bed frame from its retracted position toward its extended position.

The invention contemplates a folding bed frame which comprises four longitudinally extending ,sections inter- Considen'ng this folding bed frame in its unfolded or extended position, the section thereof nearest the back frame will be' referred to hereinafter as the head section and the section farthest from the back frame will be referred to as the foot section, this terminology being derived from the normal sleeping position wherein the sleepers head is nearest the chair back. The intermediate section near- *est the foot section will be referred to 'as the rforward l ice intermediate section, while the intermediate section near,- .est the .head section will be referred to as the rearward intermediate section. An additional object of the invention is to provide a folding bed .frame having the fore'- going general structure. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a .folding bed frame of the foregoing nature wherein the foot section, the forward `intermediate section and the .rearward intermediate section form the seat structure of the chair when the bed frame is in its folded or retracted position, the foot section being disposed in a generally horizontal position above and generally parallel lto the rearward intermediate section and the forward intermediate section being disposed in a generally upright position adjacent the front of the seat structure under such circumstances. Under these same conditions, the head section is disposed in a generally upright position behind the chair back when the back frame .is in its retracted position.

An object of the invention of considerable importance is .to provide a folding bed frame of the foregoing nature which is bodily movable forwardly as a unit, before unfolding thereof begins, to a position clear of the chair back, which has the effect of reducing the over-all .length of the bed frame since no portion thereof is under the chair back when the bed frame is in its extended position. This is an important feature of the invention since it reduces the over-all size of the chair bed,

Objects of the invention in` connection with making the folding bed frame bodily movable forwardly before unfolding thereof begins are to provide guide means `for the folding bed frame which includes arm means pivotally connected to the main frame andthe rearward intermediate section .of the bed frame and swingable in the forerand-aftdirection through an upright position, and which includes track follower means on the head section of the bed frame engageable with and movable alongrtrack means Yon the main frame. This arm means and track means Apermit forward movement of the folding bed 4frame into a position clear of the chairback prior to unfolding of the bed frame, which is an important feature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair bed frame wherein the aforementioned arm means carries leg lmeans engageable with a surface on which the chair bed rests to `provide support for the bed frame as it is unfolded.

A further Vimportant object of the invention is to provide spring means connected to the main frame .andthe aforementioned arm means for counterbalancing the .folding bed frame as the latter is moved forwardly and rearwardly as a unit and to provide means for rendering such spring Vmeans ineffective when the bed frame starts `to unfold, whereby the bed frame is counterbalanced only during the interval that'it is moved as a unit. More particularly, an object is to provide pivote'd anchor means interconnecting the rcounterbalanced spring .means and themain frame .for unloading the spring means as the bed frame begins to unfold, the spring meansbeing stressed only when the bed frame is folded and -is being moved forwardly .or rearwardly as a unit.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a folding bed frame wherein the forward intermediate section, while generally uprightwhen the bed `frame is in its retracted position, is maintained in a downwardly and rearwardly `inclined or sloping position under such conditions. Consequently, the forward intermediate section of the bed frame makes an obtuse angle with the rearward intermediate section and makes an acute angle tween the 'foot section and the rearward intermediate section and being disposed be een the sloping forward intermediate section and the head section.

The provisionl of sucha forwardly and upwardly sloping Vforward intermediate section, instead of la vertical forward intermediate section, is an important featureof the invention for various reasons. First, such a sloping 'forward intermediate section provides more room for the mattress at the forward end of the seat structure formed v of, and is thus substantially unsupported by, the lower f object in connection with the foregoing angular relation between the forward. intermediate section of the 'folding bed frame and the foot and .rearward intermediate sections thereof is to providean upholsterable auxilward intermediate section to the foot section and to the rearward intermediate section.

A further object of the invention is to provide leg means carried by the foot section and swingable downwardly into engagement with a surface on which the chair -bed rests to support the foot end of the bed frame. A related object is to provide a structurewherein the leg means just mentioned is swingable downwardly into its operative position by a link means connected to the forward intermediate section of the bed frame.

Another and quite important object `of the invention is to provide a chair bed which may be completely upbolstered by attaching to the main frame or the folding bed frame four pre-upholstered units, one of these in 'cluding theback frame and being attachablev to the main frame, the second and third including the -arm frames and also beingat'tachable to Ythe main frame, and the fourth including the aforementioned auxiliary frame which is attachable'to the folding bed frame andwhich frame pivotally connected to the foot section adjacent-thepivotal interconnection between the foot section and the forward intermediate section and carrying spring .strap means located above the -axis of pivotal interconnection of the foot section and the forward intermediate section when .the folding bed frame vis in its retracted position. This springstrap means cooperates with the "relatively soft front. edge of the seat structure,fprovided bythe mattress 'as the result of the provision of the sloping forwardA intermediate section of the bed frame, to :produce a seat structure having afforward edge which is t 'soft and comfortable, yet resilient and adequately supported, these being important features. `;,`Another object of the invention is to provide a mattress hold-down means having the form of a unidirectional latch means forpreventing movement ofthe foot section of the folding -bed frame upwardly away from the ,rearward intermediate section thereof when the bed 'iframe is in its retracted position. .Ho'weven .this latch means, being-unidirectional in its action, permits downjward movement of. the foot section of the bed frame toward the rearward intermediate section thereof under the weight of a person. sitting in the chair, thereby taking advantage of the vyieldabilit'y of the mattress compressed between the foot and rearward intermediate sections, and thsproviding -a softer, more comfortable "seat'structura v Another object is to provide a folding bed frame having-movable leg means'swingable into engagement with the main frame in response tounfolding of the bed frame -t`o rigidify |the joint between the head and rearward intermediate sections-of the bed frame. A- related object is-to provide a structure wherein the leg means mentioned Yis pivotableabout the axis of pivotal interconnection of .the head and rearward intermediate sections Vand is Vmoved .into engagement withl the main frame by link .means connected to the forward intermediate section.

. Another object is to provide a folding bed frame hav- I'ing mattress hold-down means pivotally connected to the foot section thereof movable between' an operative position, wherein it engagesthe mattress, to an inoperative position wherein `it; disengages the mattress.

A further object to provide latch means connected `to and operatedby the just-mentioned mattress holddown means inresponse. to movement thereof into itsv `ngidify the bed frame. A related object isto provide a structure wherein this latch means is connected to the mattress hold-down means last mentioned andis engageiof the invention'with the various'elements thereof in able with two link means respectively connecting the for- 7g forms the front of thesat' structure constituted by the folded bed frame. Witlil Ithis construction, the back, arms and auxiliary frames may be upholstered independently of each other and mounted on the main frame, or the 'folding' bed frame, vas 4the case may be, to complete the chair bed. Thus, 'there' is no necessity for upholstering the main and folding bed frames directly since any desired pre-upholstered back, arm and auxiliary frames 'may be mounted thereon, which ygreatly simplifies manu- -facture and which permits interchanging of pre-upbolstered back, arm and lauxiliary frame units to provide color variations'and the like. v

vThe foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the present invention, togetherwithvarious other ob',- je'cts, advantages, features and results thereof 'which will be apparent to those skilledin the art in the light of this disclosure, maybe attained with the exemplary embodiments of the invention described in detail hereinafter-and illustrated Yin the accompanying'drawings, 'in whichz" FIG. 1 is a fronteleyational view of a chair 'bed entbodying the invention',fFIG. l being'illustrative of only one of many furniture styles tn which the 4i nv5 nti or 1 is FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of thechair bed frame their retracted positions;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 but showing various elements of the chair bed frame 1 n extended positions and showing a folding bed frame thereof in a partially extended or unfolded position;

`LFIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 and showing the folding bed frame being unfolded, but extended Ifarther than inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an auxiliary frame forming partof the folding bed frame of the invention; FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view takenalong the arrowed line 7--7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 5, butv showing the folding -bed frame being unfolded and further extended than in FIG. 5; FIG. 8a is a fragmentary side elevational view showin a portion of the folding bed frame as it is being folded; FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view lindicated bythe Y,arrowed line 9-9 of FIG. S; i

FIG. l2 .is an explodedperspective View showing various elementsof the folding bed-frame;

l 1-TIG, 1 3 i s a fragmentary'side elevational view similar sections.

Vto PIG. 1.11 ybut 4illustrating the folding 'bed Vframe in fully Vextended condition;

FIG. 14 is Ya-plan view taken along the arrowed line 14 14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the chair bed frame of the invention with `various elements omitted for the sake of clarity;

,'FIG. 16 is a plan view of a main frame forming part .of the chair bed frame of the invention;

xFIGS. 17, .18, 19, and 21 respectively illustrate var- -ious embodiments of arm-frame extending means of the invention; and

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating means for automatically moving a back frame of the chair bed of the invention between extended and reltracted positions.

:Referring iirst to FIGS. l and 2 of the drawings, illustrated therein is a chair bed of the invention, it being `understood that, as previously pointed out, the chair bed illustrated in these figures is merelyone of numerous possible furniture styles or types in which the invention may be embodied. The chair bed 30 may be provided 'with legs 32 and includes a seat structure 34 surmounted by a seat cushion '36, the seat structure including a foldiing bed frame in folded condition, as will be described in detail hereinafter. The seat structure 34 `is -anked by upholstered arms 38 and is provided lat the rear thereof with an upholstered back 4i). As will be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the back 40 is movable upwardly and downwardly between extended and retracted positions and the 4arms 38 are movable inwardly and routwardly between substantially parallel retracted and lextended positions. ln FIG. 2, the arms 3S and the back 40 are shown in their respective extended positions and the seat cushion 36 has been removed, the chair bed 30 now being in condition for unfolding into a bed.

The chair bed 30 is provided with a frame 50 on which the upholstering is mounted ina manner to be described and which has several general componentsor elements, including: a rigid, rectangular mainframe 52 carried by the legs 32; an upholsterable back frame 54 located at the rear of the main frame 52 and movable generally vertically relative thereto between parallel retracted and extended positions; two upholsterable arm frames 56 respectively mounted on opposite sides of the main frame 52 and movable inwardly and outwardly relative thereto between parallel retracted and extended positions; and a folding bed frame 58 movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the main frame 52 between an unfolded, extended position and a folded, retracted position, the bed .frame forming the seat structure 3d when in its folded or retracted position and being provided with an up- `holsterable auxiliary frame 152 which forms the front Aof the seat structure and which will be described hereinafter. The foregoing general components will now be considered in ldetail in the sequence in which they were introduced.

Considering the main frame 52 with particular reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings, it is a rigid, rectangular frame, preferably of welded construction, including front and rear frame members 60 and 62 and side frame members 64, at least the rear and side frame members being angle sections, or other structural cross Gussets 66, to which the legs 32 are connected, are welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the respective corners of the rectangular frame formed by the frame .members 6d, 62 and 64. Located inwardly of the side frame members`v64 at the front of the main frame 5-2 and welded to the side frame members and the front `frame member 60 are horizontal tracks 68 which perform a function to be described hereinafter.

Rigidly secured to the rear corners of the rectangle formed by the frame members 6G, 62 and 64 are upright frame members 70, -which are preferably angle sections,

:these upright frame members being rigidly interconnected 6 at V their upper ends by a cross Iframe member .72. The rear frame member .62, the upright frame members 70 and the cross frame member 72 thus provide the main frame 52 with a rigid, rectangular back portion.

The foregoing construction provides the main ,frame 52 with suicient rigidity and sturdiness to produce, a substantial mount for the movable frames 54, 56 and 58 `and one which will not loosen with the passage of time so that the chair bed frame 50 of the invention will not become rickety even after prolonged usage, which ist-an important feature of the invention. i

Considering now the back frame 54, Welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the cross frame member "I2 of the rectangular back portion of the main frame `52 are upright frame members 74. Connected to each upright frame member 74 by pivots 76, FIGS. 3 and 4, are parallel links 7S which extend .forwardly and which are connected at their forward ends to a back frame member by pivots l82. Any desired supporting structure, not shown, for the back 4G of the chair bed 30 may be mounted on the baci frame members 80. As will ybe apparent, the parallel links 78 provide a parallelogram mount for the back .frame members 8d which provides for upward and downward movement of the back frame members relative to the main yframe 52 between parallel extended and retracted positions. When the back frame' S4 is in its extended position, it clears the bed .frame SVS so that the latter may be unfolded intoits extended position and, when the back frame 54 `is in its retracted position, it cooperates with the arm frames 56 and the seat cushion 36 (and the auxiliary frame 152 to .be described) to conceal Ithe folded bed frame 5S. This action will be readily apparent ,from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Turning now to a consideration of the arm frames 56, and referring particularly to FIGS. 3, 4, l5 and .1.6 of the drawings, each arm frame includes front and rear arm frame members 84 and 86 which ,may be rigidly interconnected by any suitable structure, not shown, for supporting the corresponding rarm 38. The `front arm frame member 841i of each yarm Yframe 56 lis pivotally connected intermediate its endsto the outer 'end of .an arm '88 the inner end of which is rigidly connected, as by welding, to a fore-and-aft shaft disposed above and paralleling the corresponding side frame member 64 of the main frame 52. Each shaft Y9i) is supported adjacent its forward end by bearings 92 and is .supported adjacent its rearward end by being disposed in a bearing opening in the corresponding upright frame member 70, the bearings 92 being rigidly secured to the corresponding side frame members 64.

The rear frame member `86 of each arm frame 56 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the outer ends of parallel links 94 which are pivotally kconnected adjacent their inner ends to the corresponding upright frame member 7b, the lower link 94 of each pair being fixed on the rearward end of the corresponding shaft 90. As will be apparent, this construction provides :a parallelogram mount for each rear arm frame member 86 and, since the rear arm frame member of each arm frame 56 is rigidly connected to the front arm frame member 84 thereof by an arm supporting structure, not shown, it will be apparent that the front and rear arm frame members `84 and 86 of each arm frame 56rnove inwardly and outwardly `relative vto the main frame 52 between parallel retracted and extended positions. The links 94 are relatively short, being just long enough `to enable the arms 38 to clear the folding bed frame 'S when the arm frames 56 are in `their extended positions. Consequently, this construction minimizes the ,space requirements on the sides of the chair bed k30 so ithat'fthe chair bed may be placed .in a location where the available lateral clearance spaces are small, which is 'an important feature of the invention. :e-

yment of its travel from its extended position.

Aframe 54 upwardly into its extended position.

, To produce movement of the arm frames 56 between their extended and retracted positions in unison, a cross link96, FIG. 15, is pivotally connected at one end to a point intermediate the ends of one of the lower links 94 and at its other end to an inward and downward Y extension of the upper link 94 of the opposite pair, this cross link being provided thereon with a stop 93 engage- `able with one of the upright frame members 7i) to limit outward and downward movement of the arm frames 56. A tension spring 100 connected at one end to the cross link 96 and at its other end to the rear frame mem- I ber 62 of the main frame 52 constantly biases the arm frames 6 outwardly anddownwardly toward their extended positions'.

vFixed on the forward ends of the shafts 90 'are arms 102 which, as shown in FIG. 15, are engageable by the 'folding bed frame 58 When'the latter is in its folded or retracted position to move the arm frames 56 upwardly and inwardly into their retracted positions in opposition to the action of the spring 160. The folding bed frame S8 engages the arms 102 to retract the arm frames S6 as the bed frame is moved through a final, short incre- Consequently; just as the bed frame 58 is moved into its completely retracted position, it engages the arms 102 to retract the arm frames 56. Conversely, a short initial movement of the lbed frame 58 from its fully retracted position toward its extended position results in disengagement thereof from the arms 102 to permit the spring 100 to extend the arm frames 56 to move the arms 38 of the chair bed 30 out of the way of the unfolding bed frame. Thus, the arms 38 of the chair bed 30 are automatically extended and retracted as unfolding and folding of the bed frame S8 are initiated and terminated,

respectively, which is an important feature of the inward end thereof is an arm 104 which is connected to the back frame 54 in a manner such that counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 90 and the arm 104, as viewed -in FIG. 22, produces downward pivoting of one of the pairs of parallel links 78 to move the back frame 54 into its retracted position, this occurring in opposition to the action of a tension spring 106 which biases the back Such counterclockwise rotationvof the arm 104 is produced when the bed frame 58 is moved into its fully retracted Aposition and engages the arm 102 at the forward end of `the corresponding shaft 90 to retract the corresponding arm frame 56. Thus, the back frame 54 is automatically moved into its extended position when the bed frame 58 is moved out of its retracted position and by the same mechanism which moves the corresponding arm frame 56 into its extended position under these conditions. Conversely, the back frame 54 is automatically moved into its retracted position by the same mechanism which moves the corresponding arm frame 56 into its retracted position when the' bed frame S8 is retracted.

In theparticular construction illustrated, the connection between Athe arnr-104 and the back frame 54 is shown semidiagramma-tically as a rod 1li-8 pivotally connected at its lower end to the arm 194 and extending upwardly through a guide 110 on the frame member 72, the rod 108 having at its upper end an odset portion 112 ,which 'engages' the upper edge of the lower link '78 of .onepair. Consequently, as will readily be apparent,

when the arm 104 moves; downwardly, the rod 108 .pulls the back frame 54 'downwardly into itsvretraeted position. It will be understood that while a connectionrbetween only one of theshafts and one of the pairs Vof `parallel links 7d is shown, the structure just described may be duplicated with respect to the other shaft 90 and the other pair of parallel links 78.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 13 of the drawings, the folding bed frame 58 includes four longitudinal or longitudinally extending sections which lare interconnected by transverse pivot means, i.e., by pivot means providing transverse pivot aes, the four sections mentioned consisting of a head section 112, so termed because it is yat the head of the bed when'the latter is occupied by 4 a sleeper having his head adjacent the back 40 of the" chair bed 30, a rearward intermediatesection 114, a forward'intermediate section 116 and a foot section v11S. 'The pivot means connecting the section 114 to lthe head section 112 is designated bythe numeral 122,`the .pivot means corinecting the section l116 to the section 114 is designated v by the numeral 124, and the pivot means connecting the foot section 118 to the section 116 is identified by th'e numeral 126. The head section `112 of the folding bed frame 5 8 includes two side frame members 132 which are preferably angle sections, Vor other structural sections, and which are interconnected at the extreme head endl of thebed frame by a transverse or cross frame member 133 rigidly connected thereto, as by welding. The section y1147of the bedl frame 58 includes twoy side frame members 134 which are preferably'angle sections an'd which are pivotally connected at their rearward'ends to the forward ends of the side frame members 132 by pivots yforming parts of the pivot means 122. The foijward intermediate section 11-6 includes side frame inembers 136 of generally angle-shape cross section and the foot section 118 includes side frame members 138,4 also preferably of angle-shape cross section. The side frame members 136 are pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the forward ends of the side frame members 134 by pivots forming parts of the pivot means i124 and, similarly, the side frame members 138 are pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the forward ends of the side frame members 136 by pivots forming parts of the pivot means 126. It will be understood that the pivots of the respective pivot means 122, 124 and 126 areal transversely axially aligned. l

The side frame members 136 of the Iforward intermediate section 116 are rigidly interconnected by a transverse subframe 140 of triangular cross section which includes a cross frame member 142, preferably an angle section, welded at its ends to the apices of right angle brackets 144. The ends of the arms of the brackets 144 are Welded, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the side frame members 136 of the forward intermediate section 116 of the bed frame 58, the side frame members 136 forming the hypotenuses of triangles dened by these side frame members and the triangular brackets 144. The

Atriangular subframe 140 provides a rigid transverse inter connection between the side frame members 136 of the bed frame section 116. The purpose of the triangular cross section of this subframe will become apparent in the light of a later section of this disclosure.

The side frame members 138 of the foot section 11:8 of the bed frame 58 are rigidly interconnected at the extreme foot of the bed by a transverse frame member 146, theV lframe member 146 preferably being cylindrical intermediate its ends -to provide a convenient grip for*v a person folding or unfolding the bed frame 5 8.

As best shown in FIGS. -9 and 14 of the drawings, the side framemembers of the various sections 112, 114, 116 and 118 of the bed frame 58 are interconnected by spring assemblies each comprising a strap 148 and two link springs 150, the straps 148 supporting a mattress, not shown, when the bed frame'SS is unfolded'. Whn

the. bedzfranieSS iis in its folded condition, 'the mattress 9 is folded within it, being encompassed by the various sections of the bed frame. As shown in FIG. 3, when the bed frame 58 is folded, the foot section 118 and the rearward intermediate section 114 are substantially parallel and generally horizontal with the foot section disposed above the rearward intermediate section and with the mattress doubled between these sections. The forward intermediate section 116 is located at the front of the chair bed 38 under such conditions, i.e., is located at the front of the seat structure 34 formed by the folded bed frame S, while the head section 112 is disposed generally vertically at the rear of the chair bed adjacent the rectangular back portion of the main frame 52.

An important feature of the present invention is that the forward intermediate section 116 slopes downwardly and rearwardly when the bed frame 58 is in its folded, retracted position so that it serves as the supporting seat structure 34 for the cushion 36. As previously outlined this angle fold between the foot section 118 and the rearward intermediate section 114 avoids a simple U-fold in the mattress at the forward end of the seat structure 34. Instead, the mattress is doubled on itself with virtually two folds, one in the obtuse angle between sections 114 and 116 and another in the acute angle between the sections 116 and 118. This has the effect of making the upper front edge of the seat structure 34 softer for greater comfort in the sitters knees, this increased softness being due to the fact that the upper mattress fold, i.e., ythe one in the acute angle, is located :forwardly of the lower mattress fold, i.e., the one in the obtuse angle, and thus derives minimum support from the lower mattress fold. At the same time, this double fold in the mattress in effect shortens the folded length thereof, thereby reducing the fore-and-aft dimensions of the seat structure 34 formed by the folded bed frame 58. Thus, the angle fold between the sections 114 and 118 of the bed frame 58 achieves important results.

' While the forward intermediate section 116 of the bed frame 58 slopes upwardly and forwardly in the foregoing manner to provide the angle fold described, the triangular subframe 140 squares o the front of the seat structure 34 to make the front of the seat structure generally vertical, as is conventional in chair seat structures.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the aforementioned auxiliary frame 152 is mounted on the bed frame 58 adjacent the pivotal interconnection between the foot section 118 and the forward intermediate section 116. This auxiliary frame is generally U-shaped and, considered with reference to the folded position of the bed frame 58, depends downwardly in front of the section 116. To the lower end of the auxiliary frame 152 is secured a frame 154, which may merely be a board as shown, to which the upholstering at the front of the seat structure 34 may be attached. Still considering the folded position of the bed frame 58, the U-shapedv auxiliary ,frame 152 is provided at the upper ends of its arms with rearwardly extending brackets 156`having` xed thereon transversely extending pintles 158 journaled in bearings 160 on the side frame members 138 of the foot section 118. The brackets 156 rest on the side frame members 138 to help support the auxiliary frame 152 in the position shown in FIG. 3 when the bed frame 58 is folded.

Extending across thenauxiliary frame 152 and connected to the brackets 156 is a spring strap means 162 which is disposed above the pivotal interconnection between the bed-frame sections 116 and 118 and which forms the front edge of the seat structure 34. This provides the front edge of the seat structure with a resilience which prevents sagging thereof due to the softness provided by the angle fold, as previously discussed. Thus, the spring strap means 162 provides, in combination with the angle fold, an extremely comfortable front edge for the seat structure and one which holds its shape, which are important features.

In the particular construction illustrated, the spring strap means 162l comprises a strap 164 each end of which is connected to the corresponding bracket `156 by link springs 166. However, other structures for the spring strap means 162 may be utilized.

When the bed frame 58 is in its folded condition, the auxiliaryA frame 152 is secured in the proper position by a depending tongue 168, which tongue is disposed between the cross frame member 142 of the triangular subframe and the front frame member 68 of the main frame 52, in a manner not speciiically shown in the drawings. When the bed frame 58 is completely unfolded, as shown in FIG. 13, the auxiliary frame 152 is prevented from swinging downwardly to an excessive extent by engagement of the tongue 168 with the cross frame member 142 of the triangular subframe 140.

Although the pintles 158 by means of which the auxiliary frame 152 is pivotally mounted on the foot section 118 are shown as extending inwardly, it will be understood that the transverse dimension of the auxiliary frame 152 may be increased, i.e., the dimension of the auxiliary frame 152 transversely of the chair bed 30 may be increased, and the orientations of the pintles 158 reversed so that they extend inwardly into engagement with the bearings 160, instead of outwardly into engagement therewith. This provides a wider upholstered front for the seat structure 34 to accommodate a T-shaped seat cushion, not shown.

Considering the manner in which the desired angle between the bed-frame sections114 and 118 is maintained when the bed frame 58 is folded, pivotally connected to the side frame members 136 of the intermediate bedframe section 116 are ends of links 170. The opposite ends of `these links are pivotally connected to arms 172 of cranks 174 having legs 176 provided at their extremities with rollers 178 for a purpose to be described. These cranks are pivotally connected to the bed frame 58 by the respective pivots of the pivot means 122 interconnecting the bed-frame sections 114 and 112, and the legs 176 of the cranks are interconnected by a cross member 180 which engages the side frame members 134 of the bed-frame section 114, as best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings,'when the bed frame is folded. Since the cross member 180 engages the side frame members 134 in this manner under the conditions specified, rotation of *the cranks 174 in the counterclockwise direction is limited, whereby these cranks, acting through the links 179, serve to prevent counterclockwise rotation of the bed-frame section 116 beyond the upwardly and forwardly inclined position shown in PIG. 3 of the draw'- ings. Thus, the desired angle fold between the bedframe sections 114 and 118 is provided when the bedframe 58 is in its folded position, which is an important feature.

When the bed-frame 53 is folded to provide the seat structure Y34, the foot section 118% is latched against upward movement away from the section 114 by a latch means to be described. However, this latch means is a unidirectional latch means 4which permits downward movement of the foot section 118 toward the section 114 under the weight of a person sitting on the seat cushion 36, the extent of such downward movement of the foot section being determined by the compressibility of the mattress doubled between the sections 114 and 118. Thus, this unidirectional `latch means, which will be considered in detail in the following paragraph, results in a softer, springier seat structure 34, which is an important feature of the invention.

Considering the unidirectional latch means discussed in the preceding paragraph, it includes two hook-shaped latch members 182 adapted to hook over stops 184 carried by the foot section 118, thereby preventing upward movement of the foot section, but permitting downward movement thereof. Thestops 184 are extensions vof pivots connecting arms 186 of cranks 188 to links 190 which are pivotally connected to the sideframe members 136 of the bed-frame section 116 adjacent the points of pivotal connection of the links 170 thereto, although the stops 184 may be formed by outwardly bent ends of the arms 186. The cranks 188 are pivotally connected to the side frame members 138 of the foot section 118 and include legs 192 for a purpose to be described. These legs are interconnected by a cross member 194 which engages the side frame members138 of the foot section 118 to limit downward movement of the foot section toward the bed-frame section 114 when the bed frame 58 is folded so that it acts as the seat structure 34. This cross member 194 does not come into action in this respect, however, until the compressibility of the mattress foldedV between the bed-frame sections 114 and 118 has been utilized to'provide-the desired softness for the `seat structure 34. AThe latch members 182-are slotted intermediate their endsv toA receive pivots 196 on the previously-described links 170, the ends of the latch members opposite the'hooked portions thereof being connected to links 198 by pivots 200 which are movable in slots in the side frame members 134 of the bed-frame sec- `tion 114. The links 198 are pivotally connected tothe side frame members 132 of the head section 112 of th bed frame 58. f

As will be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5, as the bed frame 58 is unfolded to the extent of horizontally aligning the head section -11V2vof `the bed frame andthe rearward intermediate section 114 thereof, the latch members 182 are caused to swing about the axis of the pivots 196 by the links 198 to cause the hooked portions of the latch members 182 to disengage the stops 184. This permits unfolding of the foot section 118 relative to the forward intermediate sectio .116 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Retrogressing somewhat now with respect to the unfolding action of the bed frame 58, an important feature of the invention is that 'the entire bed frameis bodily movable forwardly as a unit, while still folded, to a position completely clear of the back 40 of the chair bed 30. In other words, unfolding of the bed frame 58 does not begin as the folded bed frame is moved forwardly until the bed frame has been moved into a position forward of the upholstered back 40 of the chair bed 30. This structural feature materially reduces the over-all length of the bed frame 58 and thus reduces the over-all length of the seat structure 34 formed by the'foldedbed frame since no portion of the bed frame projects under the chair back 40 when the bed frame is unfolded. Thus, .a much more compact chair bed frame 50 results, which is an important feature.

Considering how the bodily forward movement of the bed frame 58'in a folded condition is achieved, the chair bed frame 50 provides a guide means which includes ltwo general components or assemblies. Considering the .first of these, the main frame 52 `provides traclcmeans comprising tracks 202 respectively located on opposite sides of lthe main frame and extending in the fore-and-aft direction, each track being formed by two vertically spaced rods 204 connected at their rearward ends to the corresponding upright frame member 70 and at their forward ends to an upright frame member 206 welded,

-or otherwise secured, to the corresponding side frame engageable with the track means formed by the tracks 202.

In effect, the rollers 210 provide moving pivots for the head end of the bed frame 58, which moving pivots'permit bodily forward movement of theL bed frame in its vfolded condition, unfolding thereof not taking place until such time Aas the rollers 210 engage stops 212 'at the forward ends of the tracks 202, by which time the bed frame is clear of the chair back 40.

`It will be noted that 'the tracks 202 include rearward and forward sections 214 and 216 interconnected by intermediate sections 218. The sections 214 and 216 are generally horizontal and the rearward sections 214 are located at a higher level than the forward sections 216, the intermediate sections 218 sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the forward sections to the rearward sections. This conguration for the tracks 202 brings the extreme head end of the head section 112 downwardly `and forwardly into a position wherein it is com'- pletely forward of the chair back 40 and aligned with the bed-frame sections 114, 116 and 118 when the bed frame 58 is unfolded. However, this track configuration results in movement of the extreme head end of the head section 112 upwardly and behind the upholstered chair back 40 when the bed frame and the chair back areretracted. This has the effect of permitting the use of a re'- duced over-all bed-frame and seat-structure length since no part of the frame 58 is under the back 40 when 'the framey is extended. This construction also has the effect of permitting an increase in the length of the head section 112 of the bed frame 58 and, since this section o f the bed frame is disposed in an upright position adjacent the back portion of the main frame 52 and behind the upholstered chair back 40 when the bed frame is completely retracted, the resulting increased head-section length reduces the over-all fore-and-aft length of the seat structure 34 formed bythe folded bed frame. Thus, the particular track configuration shown contributes to the compactness of the chair bed frame 50 in two ways, which is an important feature.

Considering the other general assembly whicheonstitute's a part of the guide means permitting bodily forward movement of the folded bed frame 5) prior to initiation of unfolding thereof, it includes two arm means or arms 220 fired on a shaft 222 which extends across the main frame 52 adjacent the front frame member 60 thereof and which is rotatably mounted on the side frame members 64 of the main frame. Thus, the arms 220 are ypivotally connected to the main frame 52 for fore-andaft swinging movement, the arms 220 swinging forwardly through a generally vertical position, as will be apparent from Ainspection of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. The arms 220 form parts of cranks 224 which have ad ditional arms 226 and which are connected to the side frame members 134 of the bed-frame section 114 vby pivots 228. j

Considering the initial unfolding action of the bed frame 58, the operator grasps the folded bed frame and pulls it upwardly and forwardly. This may be accomplishedfor example, by grasping the spring strap means 162.. As this is done, the rollers 210 move forwardly along the tracks 202 and the arms 220 swing upwardly into substantially vertical positions, the bed frame 58 being in a position intermediate the positions ofFlGS.

3 and 4, but close tothe position of FIG. 4,`at this center position.

Upon engagement of the rollers 210 with the stops212 and after movement of the arms 220 forwardly through their vertical positions, the bed-frame section 114 may be unfolded with respect to the head section 112 by pushing Vdownwardly on the foot` section 118 somewhere in the vicinity of its junction with the bed-frame section `116.

13 As lthis is done, the still-folded bed-frame sections 114, 116 and 118 move downwardly from the positions shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings into the positions shown in FIG. 5 thereof to straighten the joint between the section 114 and the head section 112 and bring these sections into horizontal alignment. As the joint between the bedframe sections 112 and 114 is straightened in this manner, the links 198 disengage the latch members 182 from the stops 184 to permit subsequent unfolding of the bed-frame sections 114, 116 and 118 in a manner to be described. Also, as the joint between the bed-frame sections 112 and 114 is straightened in the foregoing manner, legs 238 on the arms 220 engage the door, or other surface, on which the main chair legs 32 rest to support the unfolded rearward intermediate section 114 of the bed frame 58.

Again retrogressing to a further consideration of the bed frame 5S in its folded condition, the completely folded bed frame is counterbalanced to prevent movement thereof from the position shown in FIG. 4 into the fully retracted position of FIG. 3 at an excessive speed, and to assist in moving the folded bed frame bodily forward from the position shown in FIG. 3 into the position shown in FIG. 4. Considering this counterbalance, it includes two counterbalance springs 232 acting in tension, each spring being connected at one end to the arm 226 of the corresponding crank 224. The other ends of these counterbalance springs 232 are connected to brackets 234 which are connected by pivots 236 to brackets 238 xed on the main frame 52, the pivots 236 providing a common transverse axisv which is located in close proximity to the pivot axis of the arms 220. As will be apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the brackets 234 may pivot forwardly from generally vertical positions, but are provided with stops 248 engageable with elements on the main frame 52, as shown in FIG. 3, to prevent rearward pivoting of these brackets beyond generally vertical positions. Consequently, when the folded bed frame 58 -is being moved forwardly out of its fully retracted position, or rearwardly into its fully retracted position, the counterbalance springs 232 are tensioned to counterbalance at least a portion of the weight of the folded bed frame so as to prevent movement thereof into its fully retracted position atexcessive speed and so as to provide for easier forward movement thereof out of its fully retracted position. However, as the folded bed frame S8 approaches the position of. FIG. 4 of the drawings and starts to unfold, the brackets 234 pivot forwardly to slacken the counterbalance springs 232, thus preventing such springs from propelling the legs 230 downwardly into engagement with the iioor. In other words, the counterbalance springs 232 are eiective only until the arms 220 on which the folded bed frame rocks have moved forwardly past their dead center positions.

Continuing now to consider the unfolding action of the bed frame 58, after the position of FIG. 5 of the drawings has been reached, the operator grasps the transverse frame member 146 at the extreme foot end of the foot section 118 and pulls the foot section upwardly and forwardly into a position wherein the foot section 118 is aligned with the forward intermediate section 116. Pivotal movement of the foot section 118 into a position beyond alignment with the section 116 is prevented by engagement of the links 190 with the side frame members 138 of the foot section 118, as shown in FIG. 1l. At the same time, the legs 192 of the cranks 188 to which the links 198 are connected are swung into positions approximately at right angles to the side frame members 138. In other words, the legs 192, at this stage, occupy the positions relative to the side frame members 138 which are shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, even though the foot section 118 is in alignment with the section 116 and the joint between the section 116 and the section 114 has not yet begun to straighten.

The next step is to pull or push downwardly on the transverse frame member 146 to straighten the joint beagooaaso s 14 tween the bed-frame sections 114 and 116. As this joint straightens, the legs 192 engage the floor, or other surface, on which the chair bed rests, and which has a1- Ieady been engaged by the legs 230. f

Another thing that occurs as the joint between the bedframe sections 114 and 116 is straightened is that the links 170 pivot the cranks 174 in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, until the rollers 178 thereon engage the tracks 68 on the main frame 52. This braces the joint between the head section 112 and the intermediate section 114 relative to the main frame 52 to rigidify this portion of the bed frame 58, which is an important feature. Once the transverse joint between the bed-frame sections l114 and 116 has been straightened in the foregoing manner, the links 170 seat on the side frame members 134 and 136 of the bedframe sections 114 and 116 to prevent movement of these side frame members beyond horizontally aligned positions.

Under the foregoing conditions, the bed frame 58 has been completely unfolded so that the various sections 112, 114, 116 and 118 thereof are all in horizontal alignment, as shown in FIG. 8 and in its rightward extension, FIG. l1.` One remaining operation needs to be performed at this -stage before the bed is ready for use,

viz., locking or bracking of the joints between the bedframe sections 114 and 116 and the bed-frame sections 116 and 118. The manner in which this is accomplished will now be considered.

The folding bed frame S8 is provided adjacent the foot end thereof with a mattress hold-down means in the form of a transverse bar 242 having arms 244 pivotally connected to the side frame members 1318 of the foot seotion 118. When the bar 242 is in an operative position, as shown in FIG. l1, it overlies the mattress to clamp it against the foot section 11S so that the mattress will -be held in place as the bed frame 58 is folded. When the chair bed 30 is in use for sleeping purposes, the holddown bar 242 is pivoted forwardly into the position shown in FIG. 13. This forward pivoting of the holddown bar 242 into its inoperative position actuates means forlocking or bracing the joint between the bed-frame sections 114 and 116 and the joint between the bed frame sections 116 and 118. 1

The arms 244 carrying the mattress hold-down bar 242 have links 246 pivotally connected thereto, these links being pivotally connected at their rearward ends, considering the unfolded position of the bed frame 58, to latching assemblies 248 which are biased rearwardly by tension springs 250 connected to the latching assemblies and to the side frame members 134 of the bed-'frame section 114. As best shown in FIG. 12, each latching assembly 248 includes a train of links 252, 254 and 256, the link 252 of each latching assembly being connected at its forward end to the corresponding link 246 by a pivot 258 and being connected at its rearward end to the forward end of the link 254 by a pivot 268. The rearward end 0f the link 254 of each latching assembly 248 is connected to the forward end of the corresponding link 256 by a pivot 262, while the rearward end of eac-h link 256 is connected to the corresponding spring 250. The pivots 260 and 262 of each latching assembly 248 are coaxial with the pivot means 124 and 126, respectively,` of the bed frame 58 when such latching assembly is in its inoperative position, shown in FIGS. ll and l2 ofthe drawings. Thus, the latching assemblies248, when in their inoperative positions, fold and unfold with the bed-framel sections 114, 116 and 118 because of the coaxiality of the pivots 260 and the pivot means 124 and of the pivots 262 and the pivot means 126.

The latching assemblies 248 are pulled forwardlyinto operative positions by the links 246 upon forward pivoting of the mattress hold-down bar 242, this taking place in opposition to the action of the springs 250. The latching assemblies are guided lfor movement between their operative and inoperative positions by pins 264, 266 and 268 respectively carried by the links 252,` 4254 and 256 and respectively slidable in slots in the side frame members 138, 136 and 136 of the bed-frame sections 118, 116'and 114, there being two each of the pins 264, 266 and 268 in each latching assembly 248 in the particular construction illustrated. The links 254 and 256 of each latching assembly 248 carry hook-like latching elements 279 and 272, respectively, these latching elements of each latching assembly being engageable with latching elements 274 and 276, respectively, on the corresponding links 196 and 170, respectively, in response toV forward movement of such latching assembly into its operative position as the mattress hold-down bar 242 is pivoted forwardly into its inoperative position. ln the construction illustrated, the latching elements 274 and 276 are flanged or headed pins respectively carried by the links 1 90 and 170 and respectively engageable by the hook-like latching elements 270 andv 272.

p As will be apparent, when the latching assemblies 248 have been moved forwardly into their operative positions upon forward pivoting of the mattress hold-down bar 242 into its inoperative position, the pivots 260 and 262 are no longer respectively coaxial with the pivot means 124 and 126. Consequently, the joints between the bed-frame sections 114 and 116 and the sections v116 and 118 are rigidly braced or locked. Thus, when the bedframe 58 has been unfolded completely into its fully extended position, it is rigidly braced and supported, the various joints between the pivotally connected sections 112, 114, 116 and 118 all being braced Yor locked by engagement of the legs 176 with the tracks 68 and by the latching assemblies 248, and the various bed-frame sections being supported by the main frame 52 through the rollers 210 and the legs 176 and by the legs 192 and 238 in engagement with the floor, or other surface, on which the chair bed 30 is placed.

It is thought that the manner in which the bed frame S8 is moved forwardly from its retracted position and unfolded into its extended position and locked will be apparent from the foregoing so that a further description is unnecessary. In folding the bed frame 58, the sequence of operations hereinbefore described occurs in re- -verse order with one exception. Considering this exception, after the mattress hold-down bar 242 has been returned to its operative position so las to overlie the mat,- tress and so as to permit the springs 250 to moveV the latching assemblies 248 to their inoperative positions, the joint between the foot section 118 and the section 116 is broken before the joint between the sections 114 and'116, the sections 114, 116 and 118 occupying the positions shown in FIG. Se at this stage in the folding operation. Previously, during unfolding, the joint between the 'sections 116 and 11S was straightened before the joint beitween the sections^114 and 116 so that the breaking of these joints during folding occurs in reverse order to the straightening thereof during unfolding. Consequently, while, during unfolding, the joint between the sections 114 and 116 was not straightened to move the legs 176 into v'engagement with the tracks 68 until'after the joint between the sections 116 and 118 was; straightened, the joint Abetween the sections 116 and 118 is broken prior to breaking of the joint between the sections 114 and` 116 to swing the legs 176 upwardly out of engagement with the tracks 68. iIn all other respects, the sequence of foldupholstered Vback frame 54 and arm frames 56 are mounted on the main frame S2 and the pre-upholstered auxiliary frame 1,52 is mounted on the folding bed frame 5,8, Ithese pre-upholstered frames including all of the upholstering lnecessary to completely upholster the chair bed frame Si).A As will be apparent, this greatly simplifies manufacturing procedures and also permits assembling the pre-upholstered units mentioned in any desired combinations to attain various color combinations, or the like, in the iinal product, which is an important feature.

It will be recalled that in the embodiment of the invention just described the arm frames 56 move inwardly and outwardly between parallel retracted and extended positions through relatively short distances to minimize lateral space requirements for the chair bed 30, this motion taking place about horizontal fore-and-aft axes. In FIGS. 17 to 2l are illustrated various arm frame movements between extended and retracted positions which are either substantially parallel, or parallel, the primary consideration in connection with each of these embodiments being minimization of lateral space requirements also.

` Considering PIG. 17, illustrated therein is a main frame 280 having arm frames282 connected lthereto by pivots 284 adjacent the lower ends of the arm frames, the arm Vframes being movable outwardly and downwardly from parallel retracted positions into at least sub` stantially parallel extended positions. The arm frames 282 are interconnected by a linkage system which includes links 286 pivotally connected at their outer ends to the Yrespective arms and pivotally connected at their inner ends to opposite ends of a lever 288 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the main frame 286. A tension spring29 is connected to one end of the lever 288 and to the main frame 280 and the orientation of this spring is such that the lever moves through a position parallel to the spring'as the arm frames 282 are pivoted between their extended and retracted positions. Thus, an over-center action is provided so that the spring 290 biases the arm frames 282 toward either their retracted positions, or their extended positions.

In FG. 18 is shown a main frame 292 having arm frames 294 connected thereto by means of parallelogram linkages comprising pairs of parallel links 296 each connected at one end to the main frame and at its other end to the corresponding arm frame. Transverse links 298 are pivotally connected at their outer ends to the arm frames 294 by means of the pivotal connections between the arm frames and the lower links 296. The transverse links 298 are pivotally connected at their inner ends to the ends of a lever or crank 300 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the main frame Y292. A spring 362 is connected at one end to the mam frame 292 and at its other end to the pivoted connection between the lever 30@ andV one of the transverse links 298. The orientation of the spring 302 is such that the lever 300 rotates through a position parallel to the spring in moving the arm frames-294 between their extended and retracted positions, thereby providing an overcenter mechanism wherein the spring 302 biases the arm frames toward both their extended and retracted positions.

In FIG. 19 is shown'a main frame 304 having levers 306 pivotally connected thereto on opposite sides thereof, arm frames 3128 being pivotally connected to thel outer ends of the levers 306 and being biased into vertlcal positions by the action of gravity. Springs 310 an- -chored to the outer ends of the levers 306 and to the main frame 304 bias the arm frames 308 toward extended positions. `To produce movement of the arm frames between their extendedepositions and retracted positions in unison, the levers' 306 are interconnected by a transverse link 312, the latter being pivotally connected to the outer end of one of the levers and being pivotally connected to an inward extension of the other lever.

In each of the embodiments hereinbefore described, the arm frames are pivotable about horizontal, fore-andaft axes. Also, except for the embodiment of FIG. 17, wherein the arm frames 282 are movable between approximately parallel extended and retracted positions, the arm frames are movable between absolutely parallel extended and retracted positions, this elect being achieved lwith the embodiment of FIG. 19 since the action of gravity maintains 4the arm frames 308 parallel, and being achieved in the embodiment of FIGS. l to 16 and that of FIG. 18 by parallelogram linkages. Parallelogram linkages also maintain absolute parallelism between the extended and retracted positions of the arm frames of the embodiments of FIGS. 20 and 21, as will become apparent.

Considering the embodiment of FIG. 20, it includes a main frame 314 and arm frames 316 which are movable inwardly and outwardly between parallel retracted and extended positions by parallelogram linkages having vertical axes, FIG. 20 showing the main frame 314 in bottom plan. Each of the arm frames 316 is pivotally connected to the outer ends of parallel links 318 which are pivotally connected at their inner ends to the main frame 314. Transverse links 320 are pivotally connected at their inner ends to the ends of a llever 322 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the main frame 314. The outer end of each transverse link 320 is pivotally connected to one of the links 318 of the corresponding pair. A tension spring 324 is connected to one end of the lever 322 and to the main frame 3114 in such a position that the lever moves through a position parallel to the line of the spring, thereby providing an over-center action so that the spring biases the arm frames 316 toward both their extended and retracted positions.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2l, the main frame 326 is shown in side elevation and only one arm frame, designated bythe numeral 328, is shown. This arm frame is movable between a retracted position, shown in FIG. 2l, and an extended position, not shown, located forwardly of and below the retracted position, by means of a parallelogram linkage which maintains parallelism between the extended and retracted positions. This parallelogram linkage includes two parallel links 330 each pivotally connected to the main frame 326 and to the arm frame 32,8.v A tension spring 332 is connected to the outer end of one of the links 330 and to the main frame 326 with such an orientation that the corresponding link moves through a position parallel to the line of the spring, whereby the spring again acts to bias the 18 arm frame toward both its extended and retracted positions.

Although various exemplary embodiments of the present invention have Ibeen disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modica-tions and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as deflned by lthe claim which follows.

I claim as my invention:

In a chair bed, the combination of: a main frame; a folding bed frame comprising a series of sections and a series of pivot means each interconnecting two of said sections; leg means pivotally connected to said bed frame by one of said pivot means and engageable with said main frame; and means responsive to unfolding of said bed frame for moving said leg means into engagement with said main frame, including means interconnecting said leg means and one of said sections of said bed frame which is spaced from the sections thereof that are pivv otally interconnected by said one pivot means.

261,059 Stanton et al. July 11, 1882 1,012,536 Fischrupp Dec. 19, 1911 1,078,908 Fischrupp Nov. 18, 1913 1,095,465 Morris May 5, 1914 1,095,466 Morris May 5, 1914 1,265,012 Weinmann May 7, 1918- 1,270,384 Davis June 25, 1918 1,270,839 Kelly Iuly 2, 1918 1,336,062 Arton Apr. 6, 1920 1,363,400 Fichtenbaum Dec. 28, 1920 1,424,285 Dyke Aug. l, 1922 1,812,298 Kimble June 30, 1931 1,976,753 Thomas Oct. 16, 1934 2,286,948 Bell June 16, 1942 2,293,964 Bell Aug. 25, 1942 2,465,863 Fox Mar. 29, 1949 2,557,734 Fox June 19, 1951 2,601,682 Mis July l, 1952 2,619,657 Spagnoli IDec. 2, 1952 2,749,559 Petersen June 12, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 822,890 Germany Nov. 29, 1951 1,010,908 France June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE y CERTIFICATE oF colmlazcTIoN Patent No. 2,999,250 september 12,v '1961 i A AlfredV Rea h It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 12, line 64, for "slop" read slope column 14, line 26, for "lorackngl read bracing column 15, line 4, for "136", second occurrence, read 134 column 16,A line 5l, for "pivotedl'l' read pivotal Signed and sealed this 6th day of February 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

